Telescope sectioned moment column

ABSTRACT

A stepped-tapered structural column structure, and a constructed multi-story building frame employing plural ones of such structures, wherein each such column structure is characterized by including (a) at least a first, elongate, hollow and tubular column section having a first defined-size cross section, and (b) at least a second, elongate, hollow and tubular column section having a second defined-size cross section which generally matches in character, but is smaller than, the defined-size cross section of the first-mentioned column structure, with the second-mentioned section having a length portion which is telescopically, nestingly, and fittingly received within a length portion of the first-mentioned section, thus to form a moment connection between these two column sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/460,624, filed Apr. 3, 2003, for “TelescopeSectioned Moment Column and Method”. The entire contents of thisprovisional case are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0002] This invention pertains to the construction and employment of astructural column. In particular, it relates to such a column which iscross-sectionally tapered, in a stepped fashion, from one end to anotherby virtue of its being formed with, and by, plural, telescopicallynested, hollow and elongate sections that, in fully assembledconditions, longitudinally overlap one-another to furnish moment,load-bearing connections between next-adjacent sections. It relates alsoto the use of such a column in a multi-story building frame structure.

[0003] Hollow column structures conventionally used for assembly in astructural building frame are desirable for many well-known reasons. Twoof these reasons are (a) that such columns usually possess a relativelylow ratio of weight to load-bearing capability, and (b) that they arenormally modest in expense. The present invention recognizes these andother column-desirability features, and adds several new features whichsignificantly improve the scope of desirability in many applications.

[0004] Proposed by this invention is a columnar structure (a column)which is defined by plural, telescopically nested, elongate and hollowcolumn sections. Intermediate the upper and lower ends of the proposedcolumn structure, where two vertically adjacent sections meet oneanother, and with the column structure readied for use, each uppersection in a meeting pair of sections has an end which extends aselected overlap distance into the end of the next-adjacent, lower,larger-cross-section column section. This overlap produces a robustmoment (load-bearing) connection between each two such “end-to-end”disposed column sections. Next-adjacent, vertically overlapping sectionsare joined in any suitable fashion, such as by welding, to function as aunit.

[0005] The finished column structure thus tapers in a stepped fashionfrom section to section, and is disposed for operation in a buildingframe with its cross-sectionally larger end at the base of the column,and its cross-sectionally smaller end at the top of the column. Thecolumn is typically, though not necessarily, employed with its largerend located substantially at the base of a building frame structure. Incontrast, in a frame structure which rises from a podium sub-structure,the base of a column is usually effectively seated and appropriatelyanchored on top of such a sub-structure.

[0006] While the column structure of this invention may be deliveredfully assembled to a job site with sections pre-anchored (welded) to oneanother, one of the important features of, and options offered by, theinvention is that a column structure may alternately be deliveredunassembled to such a site in the form of fully-nested, relativelymoveable sections—one inside another. Such a delivery possibility adds,among other things, great convenience in the matter of shipping. At thejob site, such telescopically pre-nested sections may be“un-telescoped”, and then and there anchored to one another.

[0007] The “stepped” tapering of a completed column structure is alower-cost column unit in comparison with a similar-length conventionalcolumn that effectively possesses a uniform cross-section along itslength. Additionally, the stepped/tapered nature of the proposed columnstructure offers an arrangement which recognizes that progressivelyhigher regions in a building frame structure typically are presentedwith lesser moment and gravity loads to manage.

[0008] In the setting of a multi-story building frame structure,laterally adjacent columns made in accordance with the invention areload-bearingly interconnected by horizontally extending elongate beamshaving opposite ends suitably anchored to the appropriate columnsections. Where such anchoring exists at what are called anchoring zonesherein, adjacent the locations where two, vertically next-adjacentcolumn sections overlap to form a moment joint in the associated column,anchoring takes place preferably to the outside of the largercross-section one of the two particular column sections.

[0009] These and other features and advantages which are offered by thecolumn structure of this invention will become more fully apparent asthe detailed description which now follows is read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a simplified and fragmentary illustration of a buildingframe structure employing plural column structures, or columns,constructed with plural column sections in accordance with a preferredand best-mode embodiment of the present invention. These columns areshown interconnected by horizontally extending beams.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a view isolating and fragmenting one of the assembledcolumn structures employed in the building frame structure of FIG. 1.For illustration purposes, only three sections of such a columnstructure are shown, with weld connections (anchoring connections)existing between next-adjacent sections.

[0012]FIG. 3 illustrates, fragmentarily, the three sections of one ofthe column structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in conditions with thesesections fully telescoped and nested, and not yet anchored to oneanother.

[0013]FIGS. 4 and 5 present cross-sectional views taken generally alongthe lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, in FIG. 2. In order to simplifythese views, normal surface markings rather than cross-sectionalmarkings are employed in these two figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Turning now to the drawings, and beginning first of all with FIG.1, shown fragmentarily at 10 is a multi-story building frame structureformed with plural, upright, laterally spaced, plural-section columnstructures 12 which are interconnected by horizontal beams 14. Columnstructures (or columns) 12 are configured in accordance with a preferredand best-mode embodiment of the invention. The long axes of columns 12are shown at 12A. The exact natures of the column/beam interconnections,shown generally at 16, are not important to an understanding of thepresent invention, and thus are only represented herein schematically.However, where beam/column inter-connections exist adjacent thelocations where different-size column sections (still to be described)join and overlap with one another, as is particularly shown in the framestructure pictured in FIG. 1, anchoring of a beam end effectively to acolumn preferably takes place specifically with respect to the largercross-section one of the two vertically next-adjacent column sections.These locations where such interconnections exist are referred to hereinalso as anchoring-connection regions.

[0015] Frame structure 10 rises from its base 10 a, and from a suitablesupporting foundation 18. For descriptive purposes herein, it issufficient simply to state that the bases of column structures 12 areappropriately anchored to this foundation.

[0016] Including reference now additionally to FIGS. 2-5, inclusive, andas has been previously stated herein, column structures 12 are made inaccordance with a preferred and best-mode embodiment of the invention.While different numbers of plural sections may be employed for a columnstructure made in accordance with the present invention, each ofstructures 12 as illustrated herein is formed with three telescopicallynested sections 12 a, 12 b, 12 c. Each of these sections is hollow andtubular along its length, and each has a square cross section—alsoreferred to herein as a defined cross section. These cross sections arereferred to herein as matching-character cross sections. The crosssection of section 12 a is larger than that of section 12 b, and thecross section of section 12 b is larger than that of section 12 c. FIGS.3, 4 and 5 especially illustrate the fact that column section 12 b fitssnuggly and telescopically within column section 12 a, and that columnsection 12 c fits snuggly and telescopically within column section 12 b.While the overall effective lengths (heights in frame structure 10) ofthe illustrated column sections may span (vertically) plural stories ina frame structure, in frame structure 10, each column sectioneffectively so spans just a single story.

[0017]FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 illustrate a condition wherein each columnstructure 12 is fully assembled (with sections welded to one another) inan “extended” condition for use. In this condition, column section 12 bextends upwardly from column section 12 a, and has a lower end lengthportion 12 b ₁ which extends a vertical overlap distance L₁, into anupper end length portion 12 a ₁ of column section 12 a. Similarly,column section 12 c which extends upwardly from column section 12 b, hasa lower end length portion 12 c ₁ which extends a distance L₂ into anupper end length portion 12 b ₂ of column section 12 b. Distances L₁ andL₂ are not necessarily the same. The regions of section longitudinal(vertical) overlaps (L₁, L₂) which are defined by these two distancesform robust moment connections between the respective associated pairsof the vertically next-adjacent column sections. Column sections 12 a,12 b, 12 c are joined and anchored to one another herein via welds, suchas those shown generally at 20 in FIG. 2.

[0018] Other joinery approaches between column sections may, of course,be employed if desired. For example, the various sections might bedelivered to a job site in separated and disassembled conditions, witheach “smaller cross-section” column section which is intended to fitwithin, and rise from, another, “larger cross-section” section,pre-fitted, so-to-speak, appropriately on it lower “outside” surfacewith a secured “stop structure”, such as a welded-on-plate. Such a platewill assuredly define the length by which the smaller column section canand will extend into the upper portion of what will become theassociated, immediately lower and supporting larger column section. Atthe job site, with a “lower” column section in place and upright,continued, upwardly extending column assembly becomes the very simpleand speedy matter of simply lowering and inserting the lower end of thenext, smaller column section to the point where the stop structure onthe smaller section engages and prevents further lowering of that columnsection.

[0019] At an appropriate time following lowering of the upper columnsection into a lower section, rigid securement can be accomplished inany suitable manner, as by welding. Such assembly, of course,immediately defines the proper relative longitudinal positioning of thetwo thus interconnected column sections, and most importantly alsoimmediately establishes a significant moment connection between the twocolumn sections.

[0020] Thus one can see that the fully assembled column structures(columns) have a step-tapered characteristic progressing from one end(lower end) to the other end (upper end). In frame structure 10, thelarger ends of the column structures are below the smaller ends, and thecolumn structures rise directly from foundation 18. In another form offrame structure than that pictured in FIG. 1, the column structures ofthis invention might, instead of being employed rising directly from theunderlying foundation, begin their employment at some level above thetraditional foundation, as, for example, with respect to a podiumstructure which might define the lower story, or stories, of a buildingstructure. In point of fact, exactly where column structures made inaccordance with this invention are actually placed is a matter ofdesigner choice.

[0021] Clearly, in a frame-structure region where these columnstructures 12 are employed, overall column mass is smaller than it wouldbe were conventional column elements to have been used instead. Thus,less material usage and expense are characteristic contributions ofthese structures 12. Importantly, such material and cost savings areachieved and offered by structures 12 without any attendant diminutionof frame strength and necessary performance capability, inasmuch asprogressively lower overhead load-bearing frame responsibility is calledupon as one moves upwardly in a building structure. Step-taperedstructures 12 uniquely recognize and take advantage of this opportunityto offer significant material and cost savings, without loss ofnecessary load-bearing capabilities.

[0022] Very significantly, robust, high-capacity moment connections comeinto existence between vertically adjacent column section substantiallyinstantly as the upper one of two such sections is inserted/lowered intothe lower column section.

[0023] As has been mentioned, structures 12 may be delivered to a jobsite in various conditions, including (a) in a fully assembled andextended configuration (at least for a certain number of columnsections), (b) in fully telescopically nested conditions wherein theycan conveniently and compactly be delivered in not yet at all assembledconditions, and (c) in unassembled, unnested conditions withassembly-defining “stop structures” in place.

[0024] It will also be apparent, and it was mentioned earlier herein,that while structures 12 are illustrated in this disclosure includingthree nested sections, a column structure constructed in accordance withthis invention can have any appropriate plural number of sections.

[0025] Thus the invention proposes a novel and effective, elongatestructural column arrangement which is defined by plural, telescoping,nested, hollow and elongate sections. In unfinished/unassembled form,the sections in a given column structure can conveniently and compactlybe handled, among other ways, in fully nested, space-saving conditions.When sections are appropriately assembled and anchored to one another,suitable longitudinal nesting-overlaps between adjacent sections providerobust and significant moment connections between adjacent columnsections. The resulting step-tapered structure of a column constructedin accordance with the invention takes special advantage of thedeclining “overhead” load-bearing requirements (discussed above) in theupper reaches of a building frame structure. These novel structuralcolumns thus offer the opportunity to create unique multi-story buildingframe structures which offer impressive moment and gravity load-handlingcapabilities, while simultaneously also offering construction handlingand assembling simplicities, and material and labor-saving costadvantages.

[0026] Those generally skilled in the art may well observe that numerousvariations and modifications of the proposed structure may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. Structural column structure comprising a first elongate,hollow and tubular column section having a first defined-size crosssection, and a second elongate, hollow and tubular column section havinga second defined-size cross section which generally matches incharacter, but is smaller than, said first defined-size cross section,with said second section having a length portion which is telescopicallyand nestingly fittingly received within a length portion of said firstsection, thus to produce a moment connection between the two sections.2. The column structure of claim 1, wherein said length portions are thesame, and are lesser in size relative to the overall lengths of therespective, associated column sections, and said sections are anchoredto one another against relative motion between the sections, whereby theoverall length of the column structure is step-tapered from one end tothe other.
 3. The column structure of claim 1, wherein each of saidcross sections is generally square in configuration.
 4. The columnstructure of claim 2, wherein each of said cross sections is generallysquare in configuration.
 5. A multi-story building frame structurecomprising plural, elongate, upright and laterally spaced columns, eachincluding plural, elongate, hollow and tubular, telescopicallyinterrelated and nested sections which have differently sized overallcross sections, and with respect to which vertically next-adjacentsections longitudinally overlap one another with one section disposedinside the other to establish moment connections between each two suchnext-adjacent sections, anchoring zones defined on the outsides of thelarger cross-section column sections in each region of such longitudinaloverlap between vertically next-adjacent column sections, and plural,elongate, generally horizontally disposed beams extending betweenlaterally next-adjacent columns, and having ends anchored to a spacedpair of said anchoring zones.